NBA Twitter and commentator Jeff Van Gundy mocked LeBron James for airballing a free throw against the Dallas Mavericks.
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The Los Angeles Lakers squared off against the Dallas Mavericks in the Christmas Day headliner just moments ago. Though it was hyped up to be a duel between LeBron James and Luka Doncic, the game ended with yet another Christmas Day blowout win for the Lakers.
The Lakers were in control of the game through and through as LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Montrezl Harrell combined for 72 points. They beat the Mavs 138-115.
Though the Lakers have captured their first win of the season, NBA Twitter is more concerned about something else that happened in-game, involving the ‘King’.
LeBron James is losing his mind, according to NBA Twitter
James is a near perfect offensive basketball player. However, if you were to truly nitpick at the 4x MVP’s game, he has struggled in a singular aspect on offense: his free throwing shooting.
His subpar shooting from the charity stripe was put up on display tonight against the Mavs. Late in the 3rd quarter, when Jeff Van Gundy was delving deep into the James Harden fiasco, LeBron James took to the free throw line.
As Van Gundy is talking, James airballs his first free throw, barely even touching the net. This causes Van Gundy to pause mid sentence and hilariously point out, “I believe LeBron James just airballed a free throw.”
LeBron airball free throw. 💀💀pic.twitter.com/h0uKIrESFL
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) December 26, 2020
NBA Twitter proceeded to ridicule the reigning Finals MVP for his missed free throw. Many were comparing him to Giannis as the Bucks star also struggles from the charity stripe.
You can really feel the on-air banter when Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy and @MarkJackson13 exchange their thoughts beside each other even if they are separated by plexiglass. It does not feel the same if they are working from their separate homes.
— James Uy Ty III (@jamesbondty) December 26, 2020
Waiting for a major sports media outlet to tweet Lebron’s free throw airball like pic.twitter.com/0JZBxZpGKR
— Garrett Short (@GarrettShortTV) December 26, 2020
Skip seeing LeBron airball a free throw pic.twitter.com/0gv31a6aBl
— Wale A. (@Wale_Based) December 26, 2020
Others were comparing him to Jordan saying, “MJ would never airball a free throw.”
LeBron’s other hilarious shot from the game
With the clock winding down in the 3rd, LeBron James desperately tried to go for the 2 for 1. He ended up hoisting a contested one-legged fadeaway 3 from the left wing.
LeBron is losing his mind. 💀pic.twitter.com/21vOPBBVAm
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) December 26, 2020
This immediately had fans call out comparisons to James Harden and his one-legged shots from last season.
James did finish the game off with a respectable 22 points and 10 assists, while going 9-19 from the field.